The first meeting of the “Repatriate Awareness Series” initiative launched by the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs was held under the theme “Lebanese-Armenians: Integration Issues.”
This was announced by the Commissioner’s Office, adding that around 100 repatriated Lebanese-Armenians participated in the discussion held at the office.
Hovhannes Aleksanyan, coordinator for repatriation and integration issues, first presented information regarding the problems and solutions related to the integration of repatriates, clarifying issues such as obtaining Armenian citizenship and residence status, registration, enrollment in preschools, general education institutions, higher education institutions, and healthcare facilities, customs clearance of personal belongings and vehicles without paying customs duties, social assistance, employment, military service, obtaining a driver’s license, conducting entrepreneurial activities, and other matters.
The issues raised by the repatriates were diverse, including state support for housing costs and control over rent increases, the introduction of a mortgage (credit) housing program, healthcare guarantees, employment with adequate remuneration, tuition fee compensation issues, and others. During the question-and-answer session, the staff recorded the issues raised by the repatriates and proposed some solutions.
Part of the raised issues and questions will be discussed with other authorized state bodies in the respective sectors, with the aim of finding solutions.
